Composite seal

ABSTRACT

A composite seal is provided. The composite seal has a first sealing member and a second member stiffer than the first member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/489,420 filed on Jul. 23, 2003, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to Application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Composite Seal and Window Assembly” and filed on the same date as this application. This related application also claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/489,420 filed on Jul. 23, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a seal and more specifically a composite seal for use with an assembly such as a window assembly.

A window, such as an aircraft type of window is mounted on a frame 8 which is part of the structure of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary aircraft window (i.e., window transparency) 10 is a laminate structure and includes one or more main plies 12 which are typically made out of a polycarbonate, acrylic or glass. An interlayer 14 typically made of polyurethane or polyvinyl is bonded on an outer face of the main ply. A face ply 16 is bonded on top of the interlayer. The face ply is typically made of glass but may also be made of plastic. A heater layer or coating 15 may be applied to the inner surface of the face ply allowing for the heating of the face ply for purposes of defrosting, and the prevention of ice build up on, the face ply.

The face ply does not extend to the ends of the main ply. As such, an end portion 18 of the main ply is not covered by the face ply and interlayer. This end portion is mated to the frame 8. Typically, the end portion of the main ply is fastened to the window frame using fasteners 20, or may simply clamp an end portion of a windshield.

When the main ply is mounted to the frame, a gap 22 is left between an end of the frame and the ends of the face ply and interlayer. This gap allows for expansion and contraction of the window, i.e., the main ply, the face ply and interlayer. The gap is sealed with a sealant, typically a polysulfide sealant, which fills in the gap and extends over the face ply forming a hump seal 24 for preventing moisture from entering through the gap. Such moisture can cause delamination the window 10. Typically, the hump seal extends a distance 26 about half an inch over the face ply.

By extending over the outer surface of the face ply, the hump seal is exposed to the outer environment, and is consequently susceptible to erosion, cracking and lifting which results in the intrusion of moisture into the laminate structure of the window 10. As a result, hump seals have to be frequently inspected and repaired to prevent window delamination and/or heater layer failure.

Another problem with hump seals is that they are costly to manufacture in that they require a specific amount of sealant of a specific thickness to extend a specific amount over the face ply. As a result, the process of forming and controlling the hump seal is very labor intensive. The hump seal can also fail due to the delamination of the edge of the face ply abutting the hump seal. Additionally, major expenditure and effort is required to disassemble the window assembly for purposes of seal repair due to the bonding of the seal to the frame and plies.

A further problem with conventional aircraft window assemblies is that with time the face ply separates, i.e., delaminates, from at its edge from the interlayer 14, and/or the interlayer 14 and face ply delaminate from the main ply. This delamination also results in failure of the seal and is a frequent cause of aircraft window failures.

As such, a seal between the frame and face ply and/or window assembly incorporating such a system is desired that is more resistant to erosion, cracking and lifting and provides more resistance to face ply edge delamination and which is easier to manufacture and overhaul.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A composite seal is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a composite seal is provided. The composite seal includes a first sealing member and a second member stiffer than the first sealing member. The second member is coupled to the first sealing member. The second member has a first location on the its outer surface spaced apart from a second location on its outer surface and has a stiffness that is sufficient to transfer a force, applied at the first location, to the first sealing member at a location adjacent the second location. The first sealing member may include at least one protrusion extending from a surface of the first sealing member opposite the second member. In another exemplary embodiment the first sealing member has a portion extending beyond the first sealing member. The second member may be curved and/or may be made from Kevlar or other high modulus material.

In another exemplary embodiment a composite seal is provided having a first sealing member and a second member made from a fibrous composite material and coupled or attached to a first portion of the first sealing member. The first sealing member includes a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion, and at least one protrusion extending from the first portion from a surface opposite the second member.

In another exemplary embodiment, a composite seal is provided having a first sealing member and a second member stiffer than the first member and coupled to the first member. With any of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, the sealing member may made from an elastomeric material, e.g., an elastomer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional window assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment window assembly incorporating an exemplary embodiment composite seal of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment window assembly incorporating an exemplary embodiment composite seal of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the window assembly shown in FIG. 3 taking along arrows 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the window assembly shown in FIG. 3 taken along arrows 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the window assembly shown in FIG. 3 taking along arrows 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an exemplary embodiment, a composite seal 100 is provided having an outer portion 102 defining an outer surface and an inner portion 104 forming a sealing member and made from an elastomer 106 defining an inner surface, as for example shown in FIG. 2. The outer portion is stiffer than the inner portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer portion is made from a composite material such as Kevlar or other high modulus material. In other exemplary embodiments, the outer portion may be made from various fiberglass materials or metals. The elastomer is bonded onto the composite surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer portion is formed and is placed in a mold. An elastomer material, which in the exemplary embodiment is a polyurethane material, is placed in the mold and allowed to cure such that it bonds with the outer portion material.

It should be noted that the words “inner” and “outer” as used herein are relative terms and are used for illustrative purposes to described the relative position of different members or structures. These terms should not be construed to describe the exact positions of such member or structures. Moreover for illustrative purposes, the inventive seal is described for use with a window assembly. However, the inventive seal may be used with other structures and assemblies.

Each of the inner and outer portions may be made as single structures such that together they form a single composite seal for sealing an entire window assembly 10 as for example the window assembly 10, shown in FIG. 3. In alternate exemplary embodiments, either or both the inner and outer portions may be made in segments.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the outer portion has a relatively flat section 108 from which extends a curved section 110. The end portion 114 of the frame 8 is angled defining an inner surface 116 for mating with the relatively flat section 108 of the composite seal outer portion. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner surface 116 of the frame is complementary to the outer surface of the flat section 108 of the outer portion of the composite seal. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, not shown, the end portion 114 of the frame is not angled but has a stepped or an angled inner surface 116 for mating with the flat section of the composite seal outer portion.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the elastomer 106 defines a bulb 120 at first end beneath the composite seal curved outer portion. An elastomeric protrusion 122 extends from the elastomer spaced apart from the bulb. When mounted on the window assembly, the protrusion may be designed to interface with the main ply 12 and the face ply 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, one edge 138 of the protrusion interfaces with the main ply and another edge 139 interfaces with the edge 143 of the face ply. In a certain applications, a shim 121 (shown in FIG. 2) is used to control tolerances on the distance between the outer surface 123 of the face ply and the surface 125 of the main ply interfacing with the composite seal. The elastomer may extend beyond the composite seal outer portion, and has sufficient length such that the elastomer end distal from the bulb extends to an end 124 of the main ply, as for example shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Protrusions or nibs 126 may extend from one surface or from opposite surfaces of the portion of the elastomer extending beyond the composite seal outer portion 102 as for example shown in FIG. 4. The nibs improve the sealing integrity between the composite seal inner elastomer portion and the opposite sealing surface, e.g., the main ply and/or the frame. In the exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the nibs are integrally formed on either side of the openings 127 formed through the elastomer which are used to accommodate the fasteners 20 and on opposite surfaces of the elastomer for improving the static sealing integrity between opposing sealing surfaces.

It should be noted that FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along arrows 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6 in FIG. 3, respectively. It should also be noted that the elastomer 104 is depicted in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 with the portions of the elastomer that are compressed, as for example portions 140 and 142 in FIG. 5, as overlapping the window assembly. In this regard, an illustration of the amount of elastomer that is compressed is provided by these Figures.

The composite seal is placed between the main ply and the frame and extends over the face ply as for example shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In an exemplary embodiment, the composite seal is formed with the appropriate openings 127 to allow penetration by any of the fasteners 20 which are used to fasten the main ply to the frame. In the exemplary embodiment, the composite seal is positioned over the main ply such that the bulb 120 of the composite seal elastomer portion extends over the face ply and the protrusion 122 abuts against the main ply and an edge of the face ply. The frame is mounted over the composite seal such that the inner surface 116 of the frame end portion mates with the flat section 108 of the outer portion of the composite seal.

As the frame and main ply are coupled together, for example, as the fasteners 20, in the case where fasteners are used, are tightened, they cause the frame and main ply to come together causing the inner surface 116 of the frame to exert a force on the outer portion of the composite seal. As the frame and main ply come together, a load is applied from the frame on the outer portion of the composite seal, causing the outer portion of the composite seal, which is stiffer than the inner elastomer portion, to deflect and exert a force against the elastomer causing the protrusion 122 to compress and form a seal against main ply and the edge of the face ply and the bulb to compress and form a seal over the outer surface of the face ply. More, specifically in the exemplary embodiment, an edge 138 of the protrusion forms a seal against the main ply and an edge 139 of the protrusion form a seal against the edge of the face ply, and the bulb forms a seal on the face ply as for example shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen by being stiffer, the outer portion transfers the load applied by the frame from the point of application of the load to locations away from the point of application. In addition, the nibs 126 formed on the portion of the elastomer extending beyond the outer portion of the composite seal are compressed forming a seal between the frame and the main ply.

The force applied by the frame against the outer portion of the composite seal may be controlled by varying the angle 132 of the inner surface 116 of the frame end portion, or the flat section 108 of the composite seal inner portion, relative to a window ply plane, such as the outer surface of the face ply. The force applied may also be controlled by changing the stiffness or hardness of the outer portion of the composite seal or the stiffness or hardness of the inner portion. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the angle 132 between the inner surface 116 of the frame end portion relative to the face ply interfacing with the elastomer bulb, is about 29°.

By applying a force against the elastomer, the outer portion of the composite seal also provides a force such as a clamping force for preventing the prying action of the face ply when the main ply is deflected outward toward the face ply due to aircraft pressurization and thus, prevents the delamination of the end of face ply from the interlayer and/or the delamination of the end of the face ply and interlayer from the main ply. Moreover, the outer portion of the composite seal prevents the inner elastomer portion from lifting away from the face ply as well as protects the inner elastomer portion from exposure to the outside elements.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each nib has a thickness of about 0.03 of an inch. Prior to compression, the composite seal extends about 0.37 inch over the face ply as measured from the edge 143 of the face ply. In the exemplary embodiment the outer portion of the composite ply has a thickness of about 0.06 inch. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the bulb portion that gets compressed is about 0.06 inch.

In alternate embodiments, the elastomeric protrusion may be made hollow, i.e., it may have a hollow space 145, so as to have more flexibility, as for example shown in FIG. 2. In alternate exemplary embodiments, the elastomer may have a more rounded protrusion 146 for sealing against the main ply and the edge 143 of the face ply and/or may have a more pointed bulb portion 148 as for example shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6. The overall composite seal section extending over the face ply may be made longer as for example shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6. In further alternate exemplary embodiments, the inner and outer portions of the composite seal may be co-molded together, may be separately molded and then bonded to each other, or may not be bonded to each other. In other exemplary embodiments, instead of an elastomer other resilient materials may be used to form the composite seal inner portion such that the composite seal inner portion is not as stiff as the composite seal outer portion.

Furthermore, a window assembly incorporating the composite seal is easier to disassemble than a window assembly incorporating a conventional seal, as the outer portion of the seal does not bond to the frame.

It should be noted that the present invention covers a composite seal as described herein as well as the inner portion of the composite seal by itself and the outer portion of the composite seal by itself.

Although specific exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it is expected that persons skilled in the art may design or derive alternative composite seals and/or window assemblies incorporating composite seals that are within the scope of the following claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A composite seal comprising: a first sealing member; and a second member stiffer than the first sealing member coupled to the first sealing member, the second member comprising a first location on an outer surface of the second member spaced apart from a second location on the outer surface of the second member, wherein said second member stiffness is sufficient to transfer a force applied at the first location, to the first sealing member at a location adjacent the second location.
 2. A composite seal as recited in claim 1 wherein the first sealing member is bonded to the second member.
 3. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 wherein the first sealing member comprises a first protrusion extending from a surface of the first sealing member opposite the second member.
 4. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 further comprising a second protrusion extending from the surface of the first sealing member opposite the second member, said second protrusion being spaced apart from said first protrusion.
 5. A composite seal as recited in claim 4 wherein one of said protrusions forms a bulb.
 6. A composite seal as recited in claim 4 wherein one of said protrusions comprises an opening formed through said one of said protrusions enhancing the flexibility of said one of said protrusions.
 7. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 wherein the second member comprises a fibrous composite material.
 8. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 wherein the second member comprises Kevlar.
 9. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 wherein the second member comprises metal.
 10. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 wherein the first sealing member comprises a portion extending beyond the second member.
 11. A composite seal as recited in claim 10 wherein the first sealing member comprises nibs extending from the portion of the first sealing member extending beyond the second member.
 12. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 wherein the first sealing member comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is attached to the second member and wherein the second portion extends at an angle from the first portion and beyond the second member.
 13. A composite seal as recited in claim 2 wherein an outer surface of the second member opposite the first sealing member is curved.
 14. A composite seal as recited in claim 1 wherein the first sealing member comprises an elastomeric material.
 15. A composite seal comprising: a first sealing member; and a second member comprising a fibrous composite material coupled to a first portion of the first sealing member, wherein the first sealing member comprises a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion, and wherein the first sealing member comprises at least one protrusion extending from the first portion from a surface opposite the second member.
 16. A composite seal as recited in claim 15 wherein the second member is bonded to the first portion.
 17. A composite seal as recited in claim 16 wherein the second member composite material is Kevlar.
 18. A composite seal as recited in claim 16 wherein the second member comprises a curved outer surface.
 19. A composite seal as recited in claim 16 wherein the first sealing member comprises a second protrusion spaced apart from the first protrusion wherein one of said protrusions is a bulb.
 20. A composite seal as recited in claim 15 wherein the first sealing member comprises an elastomeric material. 